Bulgaria, June and July 2007; Mesta River

Mesta Glazne

Mesta Glazne

Mesta Glazne

Mesta Istok

Cherna, hydropower station

Belmakan Reservoir

Mesta

Dospat Reservoir

Environmental concerns have not played the major role of the Communists - they have destroyed what has been an impressive mountain river by changing it into a reservoir (incidentally a very nice lake). To add insult to injury is the Dospat reservoir has been filled with fish farms, destroying the water quality.

The Communists has been completely obsessed with manipulating with water and there are several huge plants in the Mesta Basin transferring water out of the basin. One of those is the Dospat Reservoir.

April 2007: Dubrovnik – Mjlet

The western third of the island Mjlet is national park. There is ferry service from Dubrovnik (car ferry Sobra middle of the island and catamaran to Polace in the National Park - The catamaran is recommended) and to Trstenik.

Bulgaria, Rila monastery, June 2, 2007

Bulgaria's most famous monastery, Rila monastery was a very nice experience, a very accomplished and impressive building with some very beautiful paintings in splendid surroundings. The monastery was founded by a famous recluse in 927, and sacked and burned a few times in the years since, but complete rebuilt as one of the most important symbols in Bulgaria.

Bulgaria, Mesta River, 7 – 15 May 2007

Regensburg 12 - 14 March 2007

Regensburg is a very interesting and well preserved medieval town. It was incredibly rich in a period (ca.1000-1400) because of its strategic location on the trade routes along and across the Danube (the only city in the period had a permanent bridge over the Danube) - and also one of the largest cities in Europe. But when the Ottoman Empire was advancing city lost its strategic location for trade and wealth disappeared. The rich families built beautiful houses, and one of the things that characterized the rich families' houses were tall towers, originally defensive structures but later mostly for showing off. Regensburg did not establish any industry to take over the trade, and it meant that the city was not bombed during WW2. Since there was no economic activity in the city, there was not anyone who built new houses to replace the medieval houses. But now there is a university in the city and lots of life and beer halls. A beautiful and cozy city that is highly recommended as a holiday destination.

Sarajevo, my walk from the flat to the office, januar 11, 2007